Each one of them had said something. Everyone wanted to play the leading rôle in the interesting drama.
“I would like to know where the young Mr. van der Gracht is,” said Juffrouw Laps. “Yes, uncle, it’s a surprise——”
Juffrouw Pieterse did not like to be interrupted when she had something to tell.
“And so we said—what did we say, Gertrude?”
“Mother, I said it was a disgrace.”
“Yes, I said so, too. Then that thing asked for cold water, and when we didn’t get it quick enough for her, she ran and fetched it herself—just as if she were at home! She wet a cloth and put it on Walter’s head. I was amazed at her insolence. When the child came to she gave him a kiss! Think of it—and all of us standing there!”
“Yes,” cried the three daughters, “think of it—and us standing there!”
“Then she sat down in front of the bed again and talked to him.”
“Where can the young Mr. van der Gracht be!” sighed Juffrouw Laps. “It’s only because we have a little surprise, uncle.”
“And finally she went away like a princess!”